Joanne P. Sawmiller, who has been the “Heart and Soul” of the Hiscock Legal Aid Society for her entire career, announced earlier this month that she will retire as of June 21, 2017.

Joanne has dedicated her life’s work to the promotion and development of HLA, its staff and our mission to ensure that no person is denied access to justice because of a lack of means. She  has seen HLA through good times and challenging ones with good cheer and an unfaltering determination that we can and will do ever more for those in need in our community. Joanne was the 2007 recipient of the Onondaga County Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award.

We have been most fortunate to have her as a colleague and to receive her wisdom. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts and want to wish her the very best in a most deserved retirement. It goes without saying that she will be missed deeply.